Kokomo man arrested on child porn charges

Also, risk of flooding increases with storm; sandbags available from EMA

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Over the past several months, investigators from the Kokomo Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department have been conducting a joint child exploitation investigation after receiving three CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. These investigators are assigned to the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

During the investigation, probable cause was developed, and a search warrant was requested for a residence in the 1500 block of Tedlee Drive, Kokomo. On June 17, at approximately 8 a.m., the search warrant was executed by officers and investigators from the Kokomo Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, and Indiana State Police. KPD’s new Electronic Detection K9 Gelid was also utilized.

As a result of the investigation, search, and interview, 40-year-old Thomas D. Cook of Kokomo was arrested and transported to the Howard County Criminal Justice Center. Thomas has been preliminarily charged with Child Exploitation, a Level 4 Felony, and Possession of Child Pornography, a Level 5 Felony. The investigation is still on-going.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Kokomo Police Department encourages citizens to report any information regarding child exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via the CyberTipLine at http://report.cybertip.org or phone at 1-800-THE LOST

Risk of flooding ahead; sandbags available from EMA

The National Weather Service is reporting that Kokomo and Howard County are at risk for severe storms today, June 18, 2025.

The storms are expected to arrive around 1 p.m. and persist until 10 p.m. The weather system may include damaging winds, large hail, localized flooding, and a chance of isolated tornadoes.

The National Weather Service stresses that conditions may change without warning, affecting this forecast. As such, residents are encouraged to stay abreast of the weather.

Those who have recently experienced flooding and those who believe they are at risk for flooding as a result of the impending storm system and invited to pick up sandbags from the Howard County Emergency Management Agency.

Sandbags will be available starting at 11 a.m. at the EMA's Berkley Road location, 627 S. Berkley Road, just north of the Howard County Jail and Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center.

Bring your own shovel. Bags and sand will be provided. For more information, call 765-456-2242.